Atomic Scientist From Philadelphia Claims His Book About H-Bomb Isn't Dangerous to U.S.
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Philadelphia theoretical physicist, teacher, and writer is in a tug of war with the United States government over whether his latest book reveals secrets about the development of the hydrogen bomb that are still classified, or should still be.
Kenneth Ford, who helped devise the weapon when he had a security clearance in the early 1950s, says everything he includes in his book, Building the H-Bomb, is already in the public domain.
But he thinks the public relations explosion over his book is somewhat overblown.
"I should put in a good word for my tormenters," he says with a laugh. "The people at the Department of Energy are not out to get me. They're trying to do their job as they see it. And they're conscientious."
How much of the book did they want him to withhold?
"About ten percent. It would have totally destroyed the book," Ford tells KYW Newsradio.
Now 88, Dr. Ford is suggesting a workaround for those concerned folks in Washington, DC:
"They have the authority to declassify it," he points out.
Ford says there's no information in his book that would be harmful to the US.
"I'm not a whistleblower. I'm not out to try to reveal secrets because the public has a right to know. Almost the reverse: I tried hard not to reveal secrets," he said today.
He adds that he just wants to get the book published. It's his tenth.
